kozzy

I run a ton of hot water (from the tap) through my gloves after each use, and then dry them over a fan. Works great.

A lot of the uniformity of style now boils down to how much coaching everyone has started to get, and from such an early age. You see the same thing in pro tennis, which I watch a lot of. There used to be a lot of different game styles (80s and 90s) but now everyone plays the same way, more or less. I'd put a vote in for Bill Ranford. Not as unorthodox as Hasek, but still not very traditional in any sense of the word. I seem to recall Hrudey doing a good amount of scrambling as well - or maybe it's just that he always looked like a bit of a mess. And Richter too - I was just watching some highlights from 94, and a good mix of pure standup and crazy athletic splits. And actually, today, I think Jonathan Quick's style stands out as being a bit different from most.

I grew up in NH in the 80s, so Boston was my team. All I can tell you is we called Lemelin, Reggie "Let-em-in"... Perhaps unfair, but Andy Moog was the guy during that time period.

Here are some pics - sorry that I don't have any of me wearing them (nobody comes to watch the games...).

I'll try to post some later today.

Just thought I'd post a ~6 month review. I've been using these Brown 2100's and their 1800 series blocker/catcher, since mid October, and I love them even more now than I did right off the bat. The fall B-league season was great. We ended up losing 1-0 in the final, but I basically carried the team to victory in the semis, facing about 45 shots and letting in 2. That was a fun night. I also ventured out for some A-league action recently (subbing) and didn't make a fool of myself out there. You can still stop the puck against good players, even if you don't play the modern style. Now, in terms of these pads - the only real wear has been on the little blue piece where the tow ties attach - some of that blue has worn off. Not a big deal. I did swap out the original toe ties for regular laces, and also added a 2 inch gap so I could have a bit of play on the toe. Even though I still strap these on fairly tight with the heel strap and also around the calves, this allows for just a bit more rotation. The sound coming off the pad on contact with the puck is this really wonderful, deep THUD. I love it. And, they kick rebounds out pretty well also - much livelier than a true old-school leather/hair pad. The blocker is also great. Not a not a ton to say there. It's comfy and blocks the puck . I feel like I'm making more/better blocker saves than I used to back in the day, but part of that is just a lighter stick, I think (True Hzrdus 7X - which I love also). The catcher has broken in beautifully and plays amazing. For the first couple weeks I was having a bit of trouble holding onto the puck, but since then, it's been like a vacuum. Anyway, these are great options for anyone looking to play more of a 90s/hybrid style. I think I'll probably be ordering a new chesty and pants from Brown this year, but I do love my old Tackla pants from around 1990, and might not give those up for a bit.

This is my bible

You are probably right about the play style, and definitely right that Brown will work with you on changes if you want. With that said, I do think they'd point you to the 2500 series if you're a true butterfly style goaltender.

Yep, they are 34". Gloves are great too, and breaking in nicely. In terms of style, I wouldn't say I'm all standup - I'm probably a bit more hybrid, but with like 60/40 in terms of standup preference. I'm definitely keeping my feet as long as I can, but I like dropping into the butterfly as well. I just do it in a more 90s fashion than the way goalies do today. Edit: Oh - and Beezer was one of my idols - loved that guy. I loved his Louisville sticks too - always got them when I could.

That's true (about the v5s and the beating of kids!) - but the V5s are much closer to modern pads than they are to these Brown 2100s, in my opinion. Maybe over time I'll modernize my game a bit, which might lead to a desire for a true modern pad, but I don't think I that's gonna happen.

Now now, I think they are only about 25 years out of style . But seriously, thank heavens they still make them. They are so much more fun, for me, to play in.

Spoiler alert - I love these pads, and if you grew up playing in the "old days" when goalies stayed on their feet, pads were leather, and you strapped them on tight, you will too. I uploaded this picture in the new gear thread before, but for easy reference, I'm adding it here also. I ordered these pads in mid September, and they arrived one month later. Brown Hockey was a pleasure to work with the whole way through - great communication, and they met their promise in terms of timing. I have been using these since the day they came in, probably about 6 games total and a couple stick and puck sessions. Here are my takeaways: They are a bit heavier than the Vaughn V5s I was using before, but not much. Way lighter than the old leather/deer hair pads I used to play (Brian's Air Pac's, I think, from about 92 were my last pair) Build quality is excellent - I couldn't be happier with the look and feel. They are breaking in nicely also. There are a couple velcro straps around the calf that seem redundant to me - if I ever order another pair, I would request to have those left off. They're not a huge issue, and I will probably cut them off at some point. Just adds a bit to time it takes to put them on. I can and do butterfly, but I play like I learned to play in the 80s, which I was. The 2100s are a late 90s style of pro pad, so they are perfect for me in that regard. I can't say how these would do with more modern goaltending moves - I would think of you like to butterfly slide all over the place, these are probably not for you. These pads are soft, but they do kick out some rebounds. Not rockets, but on par with the V5s. I'd say. Firmer rebounds than my old Brian's, I think, which takes a bit of getting used to, but is actually kind of nice. Anyway, as I said above, I couldn't be happier with these pads. After a a few outings, they started to feel like part of my legs out there - not very heavy and easy to skate/move around in. I'm also loving the gloves, but will post about those later.

When I received my new Brown catcher and blocker recently, they included a note with a tip on how to keep them smell-free. Basically, it involves running a lot of water through the gloves after each use. I just use my utility sink, and run hot water through each glove for about a minute, dumping it a few times, though most seems to run right through. Then I put them on top of a fan so they'll dry quickly. They are still pretty new (6 weeks of use), but not a whiff of smell so far.

Got these in today. The gloves are bigger - the catcher looks like it's about the same as my torn-to-shreds Brian's mitt from the early 1990s - and is bigger than the Vaughn I have. I think the perimeter on the Brown 1800 series is 149 inches (vs. 145 as the rule now?). Blocker is also bigger - similar in size to by 1990s Brian's blocker. Pads are amazing. Pretty light (haven't weighted them yet) - much lighter than my old 1990s Brian's with the real leather and deer hair still, I think. Probably a bit heavier than the V5 Vaughns, but not by much. Played tonight and the first period was a bit of an adjustment from the V5s, but oh man it was nice to have what I consider real pads on. Strapped on tight, but so comfortable. By the second period, I was adjusted and moving very well, and made all the stops from there on out. The Graf DM1080s I got do very nicely with these, too. Anyway, I will put some more time in before further review, but for the moment, I couldn't be happier with this Brown gear. Beautifully made, old school, but improved (lighter). And, also, what a great company to work with. So helpful and responsive.

I got the Bauer 940 with the certified cateye and like it a lot. It's very comfortable and I've taken a few shots to the head without a problem. Feels very solid and durable to me, in the hand. Never tried the Sportmask though, so can't compare.

They are 12" wide pads. I'm not actually sure about the gloves. They look a little bigger than the Vaughns I have, which are new spec, I believe. I will compare when I get them in hand.

Hah - yeah, goes to show what a dinosaur I am. Were there two flavors of V5? The ones I have say V5 on them but do not have any knee rolls or anything - completely flat on the front. But, they are not super stiff, which is good. I just hate the way they fit and flop around. I'm looking forward to having some pads I can strap on tight In terms of getting back into it, it's going pretty well. My first game, I thought I'd torn multiple muscles in my groin/hamstring area in warmups, but after a lot of stretching that proved not to be the case, and I'm feeling good now. Just a lot of rust.

Ordered these about a month ago from John Brown and they are getting packed up today. These are the 2100GP pads (older school - late 90s style), and the 1800 blocker/catching glove. I am so excited to strap these on! My back story: I grew up playing in New England in the 80s/90s and played competitively through my first year of college, and then in club/rec leagues through the early 2000s. My first set of new pads were Browns when I was 13, but then I moved on to some Vaughn's and then Brian's, which I played for 10+ years. Anyway, It's been about 18 years since I got out there with any regularity, and so when I decided to start back up again this year I picked up a set of nice used Vaughn V5s (with glove/blocker) for a song, but I absolutely hate the new style pad. Maybe I could get used to it? But I don't really want to. This is beer league after all, and I'm pretty sure my "old school" moves will do just fine at this level. Time will tell. I'll post more pics and thoughts once I have them in hand.